Automobile bumper



-Patented AOct. 28, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

I. WILLIAM It, McGowan, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

` AUTOMOBILE BUMPER.

Application `filed November 9, 1923. Serial No. 673,638.

To all whom/jt ymay concern:

rvBe itv known\that I, WILLIAM R; Mc- Gownn,-a citizen of. the 4UnitedStates, and a resident of Chicago, inthe ycounty of Cook and Stateoflllinois, have invented certain nenr anchuseful Improvements inAutomobile Bumpers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in. automobile bumpers, more`particularly to bumpers constructed almost entirely of resilient barssodesigned that'the force of impacts, resulting from collisions, isresisted or absorbed by the yieldingor spring action of the bars. i

The object of the invention is to provide a substantial construction fora bumper embodying certain novel features loi design which will enablemanufacturers to provide a practical yet inexpensive protective devicefor automobiles.v

A further object of the, invention lis to embody in a bumper of thegeneral charac-` ter described, an effective lnethodiof attaching thebumper to the automobile through the mediumof resilient barsfsc shapedas -to aid in resisting the Jforce of impact, and

so connected with the bumper proper as to permit` of the necessarydistortion without subjecting the structure to strains which wouldotherwise be detrimental thereto.

A bumper embodying the features alluded to is disclosed in theaccompanying draw*v ings in which- Figure 1 is a view in front elevationof a preferred form r`of bumper embodying the invention;

pact member at .points inwardly from the extremities there f, and to beclamped or otherwise attached at their opposite or free end portion tothe sidev frame members of the automobile.

Referring more in detail, to the structure and connected of the impactmember A, the lsame consists of .two bars 1, 1, extending in parallel orvertical spaced relation throughout the length of the impact member andconnected -atytheir ends as well as at points disposed inwardlytherefrom by members hereinafter tobe. described. These bars 1, 1, areprefer ahly flat and made of a suitable grade of 4spring steel, theirfaces being arranged in a vertical plane so that the bars are yieldablein a horizontal direction and relatively non yieldable in a verticaldirection. Moreover, as clearly shown in Figure 2, the bars are bent orshaped so that their end pqrtions have a slight rearward curvature orinclination and the central portion intermediate the points ofconnection with the arms B, B, has a slight forwardbow. This treatmentof the bars is resorted to, for the purpose of giving the bumper a moregracef il and attractive appearance, as well as increasing somewhat. thestiffness or resistance against distortion under impact.

As a means for joining or connecting the vbars 1, 1 together at theirenc/ls to form a rigid structure, therearese-yesa 1a formed at the endsof each har and through which ex tend relatively' long bolts 2, Bushingsor spacing sleeves 3, 3 are mounted on the peras.

tions of the bolts between the bars 1, 1 and serve to space the barsapart.

The arms or attachingbars B, B are prefs' erably secured to the impactmember at points disposed inwardly from the extremitles thereof, andextend Generally at right angles thereto, although the portionsimmediately adjacent the impact member are bent or shaped to formU-shaped loops 4, I:iL-extending laterally and substantially parallelwith the impact memberconnecting the iends of the attaching arms B, B.With the pact member are clamping members 5, 5 .con-v sisting of partsas follows: Bolts 6, 6,'similar in all respects to the bolts 2, 2,connect- .100

ing the ends of the bars 1, 1 extend. verticall carryinga which entendforwardly and en a e the edges of the bars l, 1, by means o s ots orrecesses Informed in` their opposed faces. The pairs of clamping blocksare spaced apart thus leaving the central portion of each bolt 6exposed, this portion serving as a journal or swivel bearing for theends of each attaching arm B, which hasformed aty` its end an eye 8,which surrounds the cen-.g

-ly at the rear of the bars 1, 1, each bolt i pair of clamping blocks 7,7, i

vt0 short, the entire bum tral portion of the bolt and forms the hingedor pivotal'connection; permitting a relative rotative movement about theaxismof the bolt.

Thus, if the central portion of'the impact member strikes, or is struck,by an obstacle,

this portion of the impact memberifwill be displaced rearwardly, whereasithe end portions will be thrown forwardly, the clampin members 5, 5,and particularly the bolt an eye connection, formingthe pivot o1- axisof this movement.' In' this manner the bar is free to undergo thedistortion.incident,"i

to the resistance of the impact Withoutthe danger of permanentlydistorting 'the bars i l5 1, 1, .by'reason of 'any rigid or fixed pointsof support. Moreover, a blow delivered against the impact member willhave .a porv tion ofitsforce'transmitted to the attaching arms B, B,which, L reason of the -presence of the resilient U-shaped portions 4:,4,

will absorb apart of the force `as these ,U- shaped portions undergocontraction. This lis particularly true in casethe point yoi" impact iscoincident with the point ofl con- 25 ,nection between the impactmemberand either of the'attaching bars B, B. Thus it is seen that theprovision of attaching bars,

so shaped as to provide yielda-ble spring-ele- .l ments, greatlysimplifies the construction' of ,3 0 the bumper in that iteliminates-the requirement of an additional rearwardly disposedreinforcing bar, such as is ordinarily inter posed between an impactAmember and the attaching members. Furthermore, the parts of the bumperare, for the most part, of standard design andthereore can be readilyprocured fro stores, thus machine shops and hardware aking it an easymatter` to make replacements -ln case of, breakage. In per is designedwith a vertically, bars extending transversely View of providing aninexpensive article,

without sacrificing its appearance or protective qualities.

Having described the device embodied in this invention, I claim:

1.l Abumper comprising -an impact mem*- bervconsisting of resilientbarsspaced apart om said impact member -foi attachment to an automobile,and provided with l`U-shaped connecting members lcomprising boltsxtending transversely of saiddmpact ,meubr ber and blocks carried onsaid bolts and engaging the edges of Vsaid bars,said attaching barshaving hinged connection with-said im- @ogg intermediate their ends, and'interme-- I 'i e .pact member through the medium of 'looped 'i'verticali Vends engaging said boltsv intermediate said bars 2. A bumpercomprising an impact memf ber consisting of resilient bars extending inspaced relation throughout th length' t ereof, attaching members extend-`ing transversely from said act member for attachment to an automobileand com? prising resilient bars provided with later'ab ly extendingUshape loops adjacent said iml pact member, and intermediate connectingmembers comprising bolts extending verti' WILLIAM 1R. .Mocownu of saidimpact mem-

